History of Pluto TV in Timeline

Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming television service owned by Paramount Skydance. Founded in 2013, it operates on a digital linear channel format, mimicking traditional broadcast television. Based in Los Angeles, Pluto TV is available in the Americas and Europe, generating revenue through video advertisements during commercial breaks, similar to conventional television.

2005: Viacom and CBS Split

In 2005, Viacom and CBS Corporation split into two separate companies, five years after Viacom first acquired CBS's assets. This split was reversed in 2019 with the recombination of their assets.

2013: Pluto Inc. Raises Series A Funding

During the second half of 2013, Pluto Inc. raised $13 million in series A funding from investors, including Universal Music Group, Sky plc, UTA Ventures, and venture capital firms such as U.S. Venture Partners (USVP).

2013: Pluto TV Founded

In 2013, Tom Ryan, Ilya Pozin, and Nick Grouf founded Pluto TV, an American free ad-supported streaming television service based in Los Angeles, California. Pluto TV operates in the Americas and Europe, offering content through digital linear channels that emulate traditional broadcast programming.

March 31, 2014: Pluto TV Launches Beta Website

On March 31, 2014, Pluto TV launched its beta website, co-founded by Nick Grouf, Tom Ryan, and Ilya Pozin. The service aimed to provide curated channels of online content, featuring nearly 100 categorized channels from platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.

May 14, 2014: Pluto TV Unveils Digital Video Recorder Feature

On May 14, 2014, Pluto TV introduced "myPluto", a digital video recorder feature on its website. Users could "record" content by clicking a "save show" button, which archived content from the channel as it played.

July 1, 2015: Pluto TV Signs Deal with Hulu

On July 1, 2015, Pluto TV announced a deal with Hulu to distribute ad-supported video content available for free on Hulu's website, including current-season episodes from ABC, NBC, and Fox, as well as older television series and animated programs.

October 2015: Pluto TV Adds 20 Channels

In October 2015, Pluto TV added 20 channels featuring content from AwesomenessTV, Cracked, IGN, Just for Laughs, Legendary Digital Networks, Newsy, The Onion, and DHX Media (now WildBrain), bringing the total number of curated channels to around 120.

May 15, 2016: Pluto TV App Available on PlayStation Store

On May 15, 2016, Pluto TV signed an agreement with Sony to make the Pluto TV app available on the PlayStation Store for download by users of the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

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April 30, 2017: Pluto Inc. Appoints Chief Programming Officer

On April 30, 2017, Pluto Inc. added a chief programming officer role, appointing Robert Magdlen, who formerly served as senior vice president of program strategy and acquisitions for E! and TNT. He was responsible for programming and channel development from the company's LA headquarters.

May 15, 2017: Pluto TV Launches Video-on-Demand

On May 15, 2017, Pluto TV launched a traditional video-on-demand offering, consisting of films and TV series licensed from distributors such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Viacom, Sony Pictures, Fremantle, Monstercat, King Features Syndicate, Nelvana, and DHX.

May 2017: Pluto TV Averages 6 Million Monthly Users

Variety reported that as of May 2017, Pluto TV was averaging 6 million users per month, indicating its growing popularity as a streaming service.

October 2017: Pluto TV Receives Investment from Samsung

In October 2017, Pluto TV reached over 15 million users and announced that it received a $5-million investment from Samsung Venture Investment Corporation as part of an $8.3 million round of funding from various investors.

October 2017: Pluto TV Rated One of the Most-Watched Roku Channels

As of October 2017, Pluto TV was rated as one of the most-watched Roku Channels on Roku, highlighting its popularity among Roku users.

March 15, 2018: Pluto TV Partners with SpotX

On March 15, 2018, Pluto TV partnered with SpotX to provide advertising monetization services, including generating sales from media buyers breaking into over-the-top content services.

July 19, 2018: Pluto TV Agrees with Sony Pictures Television

On July 19, 2018, Pluto TV announced an agreement with Sony Pictures Television to stream over 200 movies and TV shows from Sony Pictures, expanding its content library.

August 1, 2018: Vizio Launches WatchFree Powered by Pluto TV

On August 1, 2018, Vizio launched WatchFree, a new ad-supported streaming platform powered by Pluto TV. This service is built into several models of Vizio's Internet-connected smart TVs with its SmartCast operating system, offering an easy-to-navigate, cable-like interface.

October 1, 2018: Pluto TV Launches on Sky's Now TV in the UK

On October 1, 2018, Pluto TV expanded into parts of Europe, launching on Sky's Now TV service in the UK with more than 12 curated channels.

October 2018: Pluto TV Picks Tru Optik

Also in October 2018, Pluto TV selected Tru Optik to assist with advertising inventory management, enhancing its advertising capabilities.

December 4, 2018: Pluto TV Launches in Germany and Austria

On December 4, 2018, Pluto TV launched a regional service in Germany and Austria through an agreement with Sky. The app's content was initially available via the Sky TV stick, incorporating 15 streaming channels with both German and English-language content.

January 22, 2019: Viacom Announces Acquisition of Pluto TV

On January 22, 2019, Viacom announced its intention to acquire Pluto TV for $340 million, planning to use the service as a marketing tool for its linear media brands, expand into Latin America, and partner with internet and mobile providers.

March 4, 2019: Viacom Completes Acquisition of Pluto TV

On March 4, 2019, Viacom completed its acquisition of Pluto TV, marking a significant step in Viacom's strategy to leverage ad-supported streaming platforms.

March 18, 2019: Viacom Announces Plans to Launch Pluto TV Worldwide

On March 18, 2019, Viacom announced plans through its Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) unit to launch Pluto TV worldwide, shifting focus from Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) to ad-supported streaming platforms.

May 1, 2019: Pluto TV Introduces Branded Channels

On May 1, 2019, Pluto TV introduced branded channels based on Viacom Media Networks-owned cable outlets and other Viacom properties, including content from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, VH1, Logo, TV Land, and MTV.

June 13, 2019: Pluto TV Launches on Comcast's Xfinity X1

On June 13, 2019, Pluto TV was launched on Comcast's Xfinity X1 cable boxes, expanding its accessibility to Comcast users.

July 1, 2019: Pluto TV Launches Spanish-Language Programming Tier

On July 1, 2019, Pluto TV launched Pluto TV Latino, a Spanish-language programming tier consisting of eleven Spanish and Portuguese-language channels, including sports-focused channels like Lucha Libre and Combate World.

August 13, 2019: National Amusements Announces Viacom and CBS Recombination

On August 13, 2019, National Amusements announced that Viacom and CBS Corporation would recombine their assets into a single entity named ViacomCBS, in a deal valued at up to $15.4 billion. The merger brought Pluto TV into closer alignment with CBS content.

September 2019: Pluto TV Available on Mobile Platforms in Europe

In September 2019, Pluto TV became available on mobile platforms in four European countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the UK. The service first became available on iOS and Apple TV devices on September 6, and on Android devices on September 24.

November 13, 2019: CBS Channels Added to Pluto TV

On November 13, 2019, prior to the completion of the ViacomCBS merger, additional channels from CBS, including the New York and Los Angeles services, and an Entertainment Tonight-branded entertainment news channel (ET Live), were added to Pluto TV.

November 2019: Pluto TV Reaches 20 Million Monthly Active Users

By November 2019, Pluto TV was estimated to have 20 million monthly active users, showcasing its growing popularity and reach.

January 2020: Pluto TV Unveils New Logo and Redesigned iOS Apps

In January 2020, at CES 2020, Pluto TV unveiled a new logo and redesigned its Apple iOS apps, featuring a new channel guide and on-demand menu interface.

February 3, 2020: ViacomCBS Announces Pluto TV Launch in Latin America

On February 3, 2020, ViacomCBS announced that Pluto TV would launch in Latin America at the end of March, offering 17 channels available in Spanish and Portuguese. Additional channels were planned to be added monthly, with over 80 channels expected by the end of 2020.

February 20, 2020: ViacomCBS Estimates Pluto TV Viewership

On February 20, 2020, ViacomCBS estimated that Pluto TV had a monthly average of 22 million viewers in the fourth quarter of 2019 and anticipated reaching 30 million monthly viewers by December 2020. The company also planned to integrate Pluto content into a revamped CBS All Access.

March 2020: Pluto TV's Content Partnerships

As of March 2020, Pluto TV had agreements with 170 content partners. These partnerships provided approximately 425 channels and 100,000 unique hours of programming on Pluto TV.

July 9, 2020: Pluto TV Launches on Virgin Media in the UK

On July 9, 2020, Pluto TV launched an app for Virgin Media customers located in the UK, expanding its service to a new audience.

October 2020: Pluto TV Joins ViacomCBS Streaming

In October 2020, Pluto TV became part of ViacomCBS Streaming, which was newly created. Tom Ryan, the CEO of Pluto TV, also led ViacomCBS Streaming.

November 17, 2020: Pluto TV Launches in Brazil

Pluto TV launched in Brazil on November 17, 2020, earlier than its anticipated launch in December 2020. The service included content from local versions of ViacomCBS Networks International properties, Argentine network Telefe, and Porta dos Fundos.

December 2020: Planned Expansion of Pluto TV in Latin America

By December 2020, Pluto TV was expected to have launched in Brazil and expanded throughout Latin America, offering more than 80 channels with content from ViacomCBS Networks International and other local providers.

March 2021: Pluto TV Becomes Sister Service to Paramount+

In March 2021, following Viacom's merger with CBS Corporation, Pluto TV became a sister service to Paramount+ (previously known as CBS All Access). Additionally, CBS News 24/7 and CBS Sports HQ became live TV channels on Pluto TV.

July 17, 2021: Pluto TV Adds New Channels Including RidePass

On July 17, 2021, Pluto TV expanded its content offerings by adding several new channels, including News 12 New York, Pluto TV Home, and Professional Bull Riders' RidePass. The deal with PBR made Pluto TV the exclusive home for RidePass content.

September 29, 2021: ViacomCBS to Pay $3.5 Million Over Closed Captioning Issues

On September 29, 2021, ViacomCBS, Pluto TV's parent, agreed to pay $3.5 million and enter a consent decree with the FCC for failing to provide clear and accessible closed captioning on Pluto TV apps and websites, violating FCC rules.

November 29, 2021: Pluto TV Announces Launch in Scandinavia

On November 29, 2021, ViacomCBS announced that Pluto TV would launch in Sweden, Norway and Denmark by 2022 through a joint venture with Nordic Entertainment Group, replacing Viafree.

February 2022: ViacomCBS Streaming Renamed Paramount Streaming

In February 2022, ViacomCBS Streaming was renamed Paramount Streaming. Tom Ryan continued to lead the newly renamed division.

February 16, 2022: ViacomCBS Streaming Renamed Paramount Streaming

On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS Streaming, the parent company of Pluto TV, was renamed Paramount Streaming, aligning with the rebranding of ViacomCBS to Paramount Global.

July 13, 2022: Pluto TV Adds New Channel Categories

On July 13, 2022, Pluto TV introduced five new channel categories: Game Shows, Daytime TV, Home, Food, and Lifestyle & Culture, along with two new channels: Let's Make a Deal and The Judge Judy Channel.

September 1, 2022: Pluto TV Launches New Channels

On September 1, 2022, Pluto TV launched two new channels: a 2K-themed movie channel called "00s Replay" and The Ed Sullivan Show.

December 1, 2022: Pluto TV Launches in Canada

On December 1, 2022, Pluto TV launched in Canada in partnership with Corus Entertainment, which managed marketing and advertising sales. Corus also provided channels from its networks.

December 15, 2022: Pluto TV Launches Ad Campaign Featuring Drew Barrymore

On December 15, 2022, Pluto TV launched a new advertising campaign featuring talk show host and actress Drew Barrymore.

April 11, 2023: Pluto TV Launches CBS Sports Golazo Network

On April 11, 2023, Pluto TV introduced the Latin-aimed CBS Sports Golazo Network in the United States, leveraging Paramount Global's soccer rights.

April 2023: Pluto TV Reaches 80 Million Monthly Active Users

As of April 2023, Pluto TV reported a total of 80 million monthly active users, marking a significant milestone for the streaming service.

November 1, 2023: Paramount Announces Pluto TV Merger with My5 in the UK

On November 1, 2023, Paramount announced that Pluto TV would merge with My5 in the UK, with plans for a full launch in the second half of 2024.

October 2024: Pluto TV Announces Partnership with NBCUniversal

In October 2024, Pluto TV announced a new partnership with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

December 2024: Pluto TV Most Popular FAST Service in Canada

As of December 2024, Pluto TV was recognized as the most popular free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in Canada, according to Media Technology Monitor.

April 2025: Pluto TV Adds New Channels

In April 2025, Pluto TV announced the addition of The Martha Stewart Channel, The Emeril Lagasse Channel, and ALLBLK Gems to its permanent channel lineup.

August 7, 2025: Paramount-Skydance Merger Complete

After the Paramount–Skydance merger was completed on August 7, 2025, CEO David Ellison announced that Pluto TV and Paramount+ will move to a unified technology stack in 2026.

January 2, 2026: Pluto TV Channel Lineup

As of January 2, 2026, Pluto TV features approximately 425 channels with content from syndication deals and Paramount Skydance's libraries, including traditional TV channels like WeatherNation TV and AVOD services like CBS News 24/7.